After 40+ days of waiting, the Indian cricket team finally stepped onto the field on Thursday, as Day 1 of the Test match against Bangladesh began. Hasan Mahmud starred initially with the new ball, sending back the entire Indian top order. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma both flopped, while Shubman Gill had another zero against his name. However, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja not only steadied the ship but turned the match on its head, mustering an unbeaten 195-run partnership for the 7th wicket. In other news, the Entertainers Cricket League (ECL) continued, with Elvish Yadav’s Haryanvi Hunters finishing up as the best-ranked team in the ECL. They will face Lucknow Lions in Qualifier 1.
Ashwin joins MS Dhoni
Ravichandran Ashwin, the Chepauk maestro, continued his dominance in the first Test against Bangladesh, scoring his sixth Test century and fourth at home. His unbeaten 102 off 112 balls not only equaled MS Dhoni’s record of Test centuries (6) but also set a new record for the highest seventh-wicket stand with Ravindra Jadeja against Bangladesh.
Elvish Yadav takes Haryanvi Hunters on top in ECL
Elvish Yadav’s Haryanvi Hunters clinched the top spot in the Entertainers Cricket League (ECL) T10 with a convincing victory over the Lucknow Lions. Despite a shaky start, Haryana’s batting lineup, led by Rohit Lamba and Lalit Yadav, secured a 4-wicket win. Earlier, Elvish Yadav was out on a duck. Haryana’s bowling attack, led by Mahi, Kashish Pundir, and Rohit Lamba, proved too much for Lucknow, bowling them out for a paltry 87. With this win, Haryana heads into the playoffs as favorites, while Lucknow Lions will look to bounce back in the Qualifier 1 against their rivals.
Shubman Gill duck again!
Shubman Gill’s disappointing run in red-ball cricket continued in the IND vs BAN 1st Test. Coming in at number 3, he was dismissed for a duck, his sixth in red-ball cricket. Gill’s failure, following Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal, put India in a precarious position. The Bangladeshi bowlers, especially Hasan Mahmud, exploited India’s top order’s weaknesses, that left the hosts in a challenging position in the morning of Day 1.
Rishabh Pant vs Litton Das
The India-Bangladesh Test series has always been marked by intense rivalry. In the first Test, this animosity was on full display as Bangladesh’s bowlers and fielders showed their competitive spirit. As Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant were building a crucial partnership, Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper Liton Das took issue with the way the ball deflected off Pant’s pad, leading to a heated exchange between the two players. Pant was heard expressing his frustration over the unnecessary aggression from the Bangladesh fielders, saying “Usko feko na bhai, mujhe kyu mar rhe ho“
Rahul Dravid on Gautam Gambhir
Rahul Dravid has expressed confidence in Gautam Gambhir’s ability to benefit the Indian cricket team as its new coach. At a Delhi event, Dravid praised Gambhir’s vast playing and coaching experience. “He’s played a lot and coached quite a bit,” Dravid said. “Gautam will bring his unique experiences and knowledge to the table, and I’m sure the team will benefit.” Dravid’s endorsement comes after the BCCI appointed Gambhir as coach on July 9, following India’s ICC T20 World Cup victory under Dravid’s guidance.
Babar Azam beats Virat Kohli
Pakistan’s Babar Azam made a triumphant comeback in the One-day Champions Cup after a disappointing Test series against Bangladesh. His brilliant century against the Dolphins helped the Stallions register a whopping 174-run win. Notably, Babar surpassed Virat Kohli’s record for the quickest to 30 List-A centuries, achieving this milestone in just 180 innings. Kohli, meanwhile, took 199 innings. With Babar Azam coming back to form, a fresh air of hope should meet Pakistan fans.
